Why useful cold shower

Chris Gayomeli author portal Fast Company, has put on itself an experiment.

7:30. Frosty March morning. I stand in close bathroom wrapped in a towel, and resolutely looking at his reflection. Shower is included, as always at this time. But one detail changes all the usual order: pour into a bath is not caressing flows of warm water. This morning my goal - to jump under a cold shower. And point.

But if I touch the water with your fingertips, like a ghost determination is melting like a snowflake on the palm. I grab the handle of the crane with hot water and turn it all the way, like a coward. Bathroom mirror fog up. That's fine, damn it!

The origins of my a failed experiment can be traced back to the accident noticed an article in New York magazine, where was told about cryotherapy for rich people: spend three minutes in the room while the cold nitrogen does its job, and get improvement with the help of extremely low temperatures! Treatment should burn calories, give a boost to the immune system and start the flow of endorphins that improve mood, as in

runner. Excellent remedy for seasonal blues.

But I'm not a millionaire yet and do not live in an apartment overlooking Central Park, I decided to look for more affordable ways to collect the same yield of useful effects. Internet led me to the wonderful world of harsh and invigorating cold soul.

Health improved from the cold water, the temperature of which you may suffer.

Katharine Hepburn whole life to preach about benefits cold. Brave divers, walruses, which are immersed in the winter in the ice water, too, argue that because they are charged with adrenaline to feel fresh and updated a. (Although doctors warned that winter swimming is dangerous for people suffering from heart disease.) Orthodox Christians have known for Epiphany bathing in ice water for purification of the soul.

Professional athletes such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, taking ice baths to relieve irritation and soothe aching muscles after a workout. (And even do not hesitate experiments in social networks to spread.) Ned Brophy-Williams, an Australian scientist involved in sport, the author of several studies on the treatment of cold water, explained that the dip in cold water redirects blood flow "with the peripheral vessels in deep simultaneously reduces inflammation, increases and improves venous return (the amount of blood returned by the heart)."

In fact, improved venous outflow means that the metabolic products and wastes, which were formed during training, will withdraw from the body quickly, and nutrients reinforce weary muscles. In other words, you will be clean. Although the ideal in this case, the ice bath. Eight minutes under a cold shower - which can be alternated with warm - it is better than nothing. there are even clinical researches, Confirmed that the cold water stimulates the formation of beneficial brown fat cells, which is deposited in the the upper half of the body and helps to burn lipids - fats that preserve the excess calories and lay on his stomach and lines waist.

But since I can not start their morning with hundreds of sit-ups and jumping, I thought that cold water will help my productivity or at least cheer up. In 2007, a molecular biologist Nikolai Shevchuk published study, Which he argued that a cold shower can treat the symptoms of depression, and with regular use and completely shows better results than the pharmacological antidepressants. "The mechanism which explains the uplifting effect of immersion in cold water, possibly is to stimulate dopamine and energy exchange in the mesolimbic and neyrogastralnom ways - said Shevchuk podcast Neuroscience. - Dopamine ways to manage our emotions, many studies have proven the connection work of these parts of the brain with depression. "

Speaking unscientific language, cold water fills the parts of the brain responsible for mood, hormones of happiness.

independent research showThat the "walrus" "greatly reduced sense of tension and fatigue, improves mood and memory."

I was interested in the methodology, which was used by the scientist. In his study - and Shevchuk admitted that the sample was statistically small - participants started with a warm shower. (That's my mistake: the cost to do so.) Within five minutes, the water temperature is gradually reduced until it reaches 20 ° C. This seems a very low temperature on contact with the skin. Participants stood in a cold shower for two or three minutes. It's like swimming in the spring in the Pacific Ocean in Orange County, California area and in the Baltic Sea at the beginning of the summer. It should be noted that the temperature is below 16 ° C causes overcooling!

Armed with new knowledge, I decided to give a second chance to the cold water. The next time the opened tap hot water with less than usual, and jumped into the shower. Within a few minutes the temperature was slowly decreased until the body has become angry. Breathing quickened. Heart pounding stronger. I started to dance to keep warm. But when I concentrated and slowed breathing, tolerate cold water easier. It was like getting used to swimming in the pool without heating: doable and not too scary.

When I wiped immediately felt ready to take action. The heart is still beating faster, and in the morning I felt the excitement, which I can not make coffee. I was full of enthusiasm, although the window was a muddy New York winter. I even smiled colleagues!

I take the desired effect for a valid? Of course. But the best thing I can say in the confirmation of the results of experiments I have since to take a cold shower.